Because we live in a society where we hear much about the breakdown of the family and where we see daily news stories about violence against and within families, We Were the Mulvaneys contains themes that will be both familiar and troubling to most readers. Group members will differ in their responses because their experiences of family will differ.

They also may discover in the course of discussion that they place different values on different aspects of family, a fact that should lead to lively conversations that can promote understanding of the importance of family dynamics.

1. Which of the Mulvaneys interests you the most? Why? Are any of the Mulvaneys more important to the story than the others?

2. Why does Mike, Sr. reject Marianne after her rape? Why does Corinne support him in this? Do you find these responses convincing?